²³ People will tell you, ‘There he is!’ or ‘Here he is!’ Do not go running off after them.^(A)

⁸ He replied: “Watch out that you are not deceived. For many will come in my name, claiming, ‘I am he,’ and, ‘The time is near.’ Do not follow them.^(A)

²³ At that time if anyone says to you, ‘Look, here is the Messiah!’ or, ‘There he is!’ do not believe it.^{(A) 24} For false messiahs and false prophets will appear and perform great signs and wonders^(B) to deceive, if possible, even the elect. ²⁵ See, I have told you ahead of time.

²⁶ “So if anyone tells you, ‘There he is, out in the wilderness,’ do not go out; or, ‘Here he is, in the inner rooms,’ do not believe it.

²¹ nor will people say, ‘Here it is,’ or ‘There it is,’^(A) because the kingdom of God is in your midst.”^[a]

²¹ At that time if anyone says to you, ‘Look, here is the Messiah!’ or, ‘Look, there he is!’ do not believe it.^{(A) 22} For false messiahs and false prophets^(B) will appear and perform signs and wonders^(C) to deceive, if possible, even the elect. ²³ So be on your guard;^(D) I have told you everything ahead of time.